Fluid filtration system and method of use

ABSTRACT

A system comprising a housing; a filter retained within the housing; optionally, an activation mechanism configured to, during operation, activate the filter; and a flow controller configured to urge fluid through the filter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 62/962,792, filed 17 Jan. 2020; US Provisional Application No. 62/968,715, filed 31 Jan. 2020; and US Provisional Application No. 63/033,538, filed 2 Jun. 2020, each of which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the fluid purification field, and more specifically to a new and useful system and method of use in the fluid purification field.

BACKGROUND

Many healthcare and industrial settings (e.g., operating rooms, clean rooms, etc.) require clean air (e.g., air that has pathogens, allergens, dust particles, VOCs, and/or other contaminants below a contaminant threshold). Typically, clean air is provided using a building air filtration system (e.g., HVAC). However, these building wide air filtration systems can become dirty releasing more particulate matter over time, can transfer contamination from other parts of the building, and may not be equipped to adjust to contaminants introduced during the ingress/egress of individuals into an area. Having a dedicated unit for a given room and/or area may help to alleviate these concerns.

Thus, there is a need in the air purification field to create a new and useful air filtration system. This invention provides such new and useful air filtration system and method of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a method of using the system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an example of a cross-sectional view of CFD analysis of fluid flow within a space based on the position of the fluid filtration system.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are schematic representations of examples of a power supply housing.

FIGURE 5 is a schematic representation of an example of a fluid filtration system.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an example of a filter and an activation mechanism.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an example of the system.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of fluid flow through an example of the system.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an example of fan placement within the system.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an example of a locking mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an example of the system.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are illustrative examples of a fluid manifold set.

FIG. 13 is a schematic example of a fluid manifold connected to the system.

FIG. 14 is a schematic example of the system.

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of an example of directly illuminating a filter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention.

1. Overview.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 preferably includes a housing 100, one or more filters 200, a flow control mechanism 400, and a power supply 500. The system can include one or more activation mechanisms 300, one or more sensors 600, a user interface 700, and/or any suitable components. The system preferably functions to filter fluid (e.g., air, liquids, etc.) within an area to remove (e.g., capture, degrade, etc.) contaminants from the fluid. In specific examples, the contaminants can include: pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, etc.), fungi (e.g., mold, mildew, etc.), allergens (e.g., dander, pollen, dust mites, etc.), particulate matter (e.g., dust, smoke, droplets, etc.), volatile compounds (e.g., volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dioxins, furans, aromatic compounds, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur, oxides of phosphorus, etc.), inorganic compounds, and/or any suitable contaminant.

In an illustrative example of the technology, the system can be used in a hospital operating room. Within operating rooms, it is common to have air curtains surrounding patients during the operation to help minimize patient exposure to pathogens and dirt from the environment. In this example, the technology can be used to filter air within the operating room to help improve the sterility of the environment, can filter the air that is used to prepare the air curtain (e.g., an output of the air filtration system can be coupled to an air intake for the air curtain), and/or can be used in any suitable manner. In variants of this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the system location within the room can be selected (e.g., using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of a room) based on the air curtain (e.g., to minimally perturb the air curtain), to output filtered air on the patient, to capture contaminants within the room (e.g., from ingress and/or egress points to the room), and/or can be positioned in any suitable manner. However, the technology can additionally or alternatively be used in industrial centers (e.g., clean rooms, office spaces, etc.), food processing plants, veterinary practices, and/or in any suitable applications.

2. Benefits.

Variations of the technology can confer several benefits and/or advantages.

First, variants of the technology can be used to remove biologically active contaminants (e.g., pathogens, allergens, fungi, proteins, etc.). Examples of the technology can reduce the concentration of biologically active contaminants to a safe limit for occupants of the area (e.g., immunocompromised occupants). The inventors have discovered that including an antibiological prefilter can, in some variants of the technology, enhance (e.g., improve, facilitate, speed up, etc.) the removal of biologically active contaminants. In a specific example, the antibiological prefilter can include photocatalytic material (e.g., the same or a different photocatalytic material as a photocatalytic filter). In this specific example the antibiological prefilter can be substantially unilluminated (e.g., be illuminated by less than a threshold irradiance, less than a threshold photon flux, etc.; be indirectly illuminated such as from diffuse or specular reflections as opposed to direct illumination from a source; etc.; etc.) or illuminated.

Second, variants of the technology can be modular to enable the system to be modified for cleaning in a specific area (e.g., to address different contaminants in different areas, at different times, etc.). In a specific example, the technology can use (e.g., interchange between) type, number, orientation, relative order, etc. the filters and/or activation mechanisms within the system (e.g., depending on the application, contaminants, filtration efficiency, target flow rate, etc.).

Third, variants of the technology can be readily rearranged within an area. In specific examples, the technology can be repositioned, reoriented, and/or removed (or brought into) an area or space.

However, variants of the technology can confer any other suitable benefits and/or advantages.

3. System.

The system 10 preferably functions to remove one or more contaminants from fluid (e.g., gases such as air; liquids such as oil, water, etc.; etc.) within an environment (e.g., an enclosed environment, an open environment, etc.). The system can intake fluid from an environment proximal the system (e.g., an environment outside the housing), an input system, and/or otherwise intake the (contaminated) fluid. The system can eject purified fluid (e.g., fluid with a lower contaminant concentration than the intake fluid) into the environment, an output system (such as an air curtain generator, an HVAC system, ventilation ducts, etc.), and/or otherwise eject purified fluid. The purified fluid preferably has a contaminant reduction (e.g., a reduced contaminant level compared to the input fluid, a contaminant level compared to an inactive control system operated for a comparable duration, etc.) that is at least 90% such as 95%, 97.5%, 98%, 99%, 99.9%, 99.99%, 99.998%, 99.999%, 99.9995%, 99.9999%, or 99.99999%. However, the contaminant reduction can be less than 90% (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, 75%, etc.) and/or any suitable percentage. The contaminant reduction can be for a single pass (e.g., cycling a single fluid purification volume through the system), multi-pass, after a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 1 minute, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, etc.), and/or in any suitable conditions. In an illustrative example, after operating the system for approximately 1 hour, more than 99.9% of contaminants can be destroyed. The contaminant destruction can depend on the size of the environment, the contaminant concentration, the filter(s) in the system, the activation mechanism (e.g., type, energy, power, wavelength, etc.), the photocatalyst material, the operation time, the location of the system within the environment, and/or depend on or be independent of any suitable properties.

The system can be mobile (e.g., human-movable, cartable, etc.), configured to statically mount to the environment, or otherwise configured. In examples, the system can be less than a target weight (e.g., less than 25 lbs, 50 lbs, 100 lbs, 200 lbs, 500 lbs, 1000 lbs, etc.), have one or more dimensions (e.g., lateral, longitudinal, height, etc.) smaller than a threshold size (e.g., less than 1 ft, 2 ft, 3 ft, 5 ft, 10 ft, etc.), have a housing translation system 160 (e.g., wheels, treads, transportation mechanism, etc.), and/or can have any suitable size and/or components to facilitate repositioning and/or reorientation of the system.

A fluid flow rate through the system is preferably between about 1-1000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) (e.g., 10 CFM, 20 CFM, 30 CFM, 50 CFM, 100 CFM, 200 CFM, 300 CFM, 400 CFM, 500 CFM, 600 CFM, 700 CFM, 800 CFM, 900 CFM, values or ranges therebetween, etc.), but can be less than 1 CFM, greater than 1000 CFM, or any value. The fluid flow rate can refer to a volumetric flow rate, a mass flow rate, and/or any suitable flow rate.

The system preferably includes a housing 100. The housing functions to retain one or more components, and can optionally function to cooperatively create a fluid seal with one or more of the system components. The housing can additionally function to define a fluid flow path. The housing can define a lumen (e.g., hollow cavity, fluid purification volume, air purification volume, liquid purification volume, etc.) configured to retain system components. The filter(s) 200, activation mechanism(s) 300, flow control mechanism 400, sensor(s) boo, user interface 700, power supply 500, and/or any suitable components are preferably coupled to (e.g., mounted in) the housing, but can be separate from the housing (and/or system). The housing 100 can have any suitable form factor. For example, the housing can be polygonal (e.g., rectangular prism, square prism, triangular prism, pentagonal prism, etc.), cylindrical, hemispherical, pyramidal, conical and/or have any suitable structure. The housing is preferably made of an antimicrobial, hydrophilic material (or includes a coating with such properties), but can additionally or alternatively include: metals, polymers (e.g., with less than a predetermined pore size), and/or any other suitable material. The housing preferably defines one or more inlets no and one or more outlets 120. However, the inlet and outlet can be the same and/or can be defined in any suitable manner.

The inlet(s) 110 preferably functions to intake air from the surrounding environment (and/or from an external system). The inlet(s) are preferably arranged distal the active flow control mechanism, but the inlet can be arranged proximal the active flow control mechanism and/or have any suitable position relative to the active flow control mechanism. The inlet(s) are preferably arranged proximal (e.g., near, within a target distance of, within a threshold distance of, closer to, etc.) a first end of the housing (e.g., on one or more broad faces of the housing having a surface normal perpendicular to the gravity vector, on one or more broad faces of the housing having surface normal parallel to the gravity vector, etc.), but can additionally or alternatively be centrally located (e.g., approximately equidistant from the first and a second end opposing the first end of the housing), and/or be arranged at any suitable location of the housing. In an illustrative example as shown in FIG. 14, the inlets can be arranged proximal a bottom of the housing. However, the inlets can be arranged proximal the top of the housing and/or otherwise be arranged. The inlet(s) can include vents 115, openings, holes, and/or any suitable pathway allowing air to enter and/or be drawn into the system. As shown for example in FIG. 8, the inlet can be arranged around any suitable angular extent between 0°-360° of the housing. In a first specific example, the inlet can be arranged along a single broad face of the housing (e.g., 90° for a rectangular housing). In a second specific example, the inlet can be arranged along three broad faces of the housing (e.g., 270° for a rectangular housing). However, inlets can be included on any suitable broad faces of the housing.

The outlet(s) 120 preferably functions to release (filtered) air into the environment and/or into an external system. The outlet(s) are preferably arranged proximal the active flow control mechanism, but the outlet(s) can be arranged distal the active flow control mechanism and/or with any suitable position relative to the active flow control mechanism. The outlet(s) are preferably proximal (e.g., near, within a target distance of, within a threshold distance of, closer to, etc.) a second end of the housing (e.g., on one or more broad faces of the housing having a surface normal perpendicular to the gravity vector, on one or more broad faces of the housing having a surface normal parallel to the gravity vector, etc.) where the second end opposes the first end, but the outlet can additionally or alternatively be arranged proximal the first end, proximal the center of the housing, and/or at any suitable location. In an illustrative example as shown in FIG. 14, the outlets are arranged proximal the top of the housing. The system preferably includes a single outlet, but can alternatively include multiple outlets (for example as shown in FIG. 8).

In variants, the inlet and/or outlet can be coupled to an external system. The inlet and/or outlet can be coupled by a manifold 190 (e.g., tubing, as shown for example in FIG. 13), can be designed to receive an output from the external system, and/or can be configured in any suitable manner. In a specific example, the inlet and/or outlet to the system can be coupled to the output of an HVAC system. However, the inlet and/or outlet can be coupled to a compressed air system, an air cylinder, an air curtain system, a fume hood, and/or to any suitable external system.

In variants as shown for example in FIG. ii, the inlet and/or outlet can include one or more (passive) flow control mechanisms. These flow control mechanisms can be used to promote and/or inhibit laminar flow of air entering the system. In examples, the flow control mechanisms integrated in the inlet and/or outlet can include: vents, fins, baffles, tortuous paths, one or more filters, aerodynamic plates (e.g., with three dimensional shape to direct fluid flow into or out of the housing such as pyramid, cones, etc.; configured to direct fluid along the fluid flow path; etc.), and/or any suitable features to induce desired fluid flow properties.

The outlet can direct the fluid flow up, down, left, right, in any suitable angle between 0° and 180° (e.g., where 0° corresponds to parallel to a longitudinal housing axis or gravity vector, and 180° corresponds to anti parallel to a longitudinal housing axis or gravity vector, where 0° corresponds to one edge of the outlet and 180° corresponds to an opposing edge of the outlet), straight out (e.g., parallel to a surface normal of a face of the housing), combinations thereof, and/or in any suitable direction. In a specific example, each outlet can include vents that can be configured to direct the fluid flow egress from the system. The orientation of the outlet vents can be changed to modify the fluid flow to be directed in any suitable direction out of the outlet.

Fluid expelled from the outlet preferably does not substantially disturb (e.g., change fluid currents by less than a threshold amount; changes fluid flow speed by less than 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, etc. compared to when the system is shut down; changes fluid direction by less than 1°, 2°, 5°, 10°, 20 etc. relative to when the system is shut down; changes the fluid turbulence by less than 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, etc. compared to when the system is shut down; etc.) the fluid flow in the environment proximal the system (e.g., the existing fluid flow within the environment), but can disturb the fluid flow in the environment.

In a first example, the inlet can be upstream of the filter(s), the filter(s) can be upstream of the flow control mechanism, and the flow control mechanism can be upstream of the outlet. However, the components can be arranged within the housing in any suitable order (e.g., with respect to the fluid flow pathway, with respect to the fluid flow direction, etc.).

The housing preferably includes one or more access ports 150. The access ports function to enable user(s) to access one or more components of the system (e.g., to repair components, to replace a component, to install components, to reorient components, etc.). Access ports can be arranged on any suitable broad face(s) (and/or surface) of the housing. For example, the access port(s) can be arranged on the side, top, bottom, wrap-around to more than one side, and/or can be arranged at any suitable location. Each component can be associated with an access port. However, each access port can enable access to a plurality of components. Each access port is preferably electrically grounded (e.g., to the housing, to the ground, etc.; such as using a conductive wire). However, the access ports can be maintained at any suitable reference potential. In examples, the access port can include: a door, a panel, a cover, drawer, and/or any suitable access port can be used.

The housing can optionally include one or more handles 170 (e.g., to facilitate lifting and/or rearranging the system; such as arranged on one or more broad faces of the housing), housing translation system (e.g., to facilitate moving the system; such as wheels, treads, tracks, transportation mechanism, etc.), base (e.g., to facilitate reorientation of the system; such as configured to rotate the system in pitch, yaw, roll), weights (e.g., counterweights such as to decrease the risk of the housing tipping over), and/or any suitable elements.

The filter(s) 200 preferably function to remove (e.g., capture, destroy, degrade, etc.) one or more contaminants from the fluid within the lumen of the housing. Filters can remove contaminants: mechanically, chemically, photochemically, electrically, photoelectrochemically, thermally, biologically, and/or using any suitable mechanism. The system can include one or more filters of the same or different type. The filters are preferably removable, but can additionally or alternatively be permanently installed. The filter form factor is preferably matched to the form factor of the housing, but any suitable form factor can be chosen. In specific examples, the filter form factor can be polygonal (e.g., rectangular, square, etc.), cylindrical, spherical, hemispherical, and/or can be any suitable shape. The filter can be pleated and/or nonpleated. In examples, the filters can be planar, serpentine, honeycomb, fibrous, and/or have any suitable structure. The filter(s) can be single layer, multi-layer, coated, and/or otherwise be configured. In some embodiments, one or more filters can include one or more layers as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/523,928, entitled “FLUID FILTRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE,” and filed 26 Jul. 2019, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. In specific examples, the filters can include: mechanical filters or layers (e.g., HEPA filters; filters with any suitable MERV rating such as 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, etc.; etc.), photochemical (PC) filters or layers, photoelectrochemical (PEC) filters or layers, photoelectrochemical oxidation (PECO) filters or layers, contaminant-specific filters or layers (e.g., sorption filters such as a filter coated with a sorbent material such as activated carbon; SOX filters; NOX filters; VOC filters; etc.), anti-biologic filters or layers (e.g., antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-peptidal, anti-nucleotide, etc.), electromagnetic filters or layers, and/or any suitable filters and/or layers can be used.

Anti-biologic filters function to remove biological contaminants from the contaminated fluid, but can additionally remove other contaminants. The anti-biologic filters can be specific (e.g., to particular classes of biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, eukaryotes, prokaryotes, fungi, etc.; to particular biological contaminants; etc.) or general. The anti-biologic filter can destroy, capture, deactivate, inhibit (or halt and/or prevent) growth, inhibit (or halt and/or prevent) reproduction of, kill, and/or otherwise remove contaminants from the fluid. The anti-biologic filter preferably includes an anti-biologic material, but can additionally or alternatively be structurally designed to and/or otherwise remove contaminants. The anti-biologic filter can be made of the anti-biologic material, (conformally or nonconformally) coated with the anti-biologic material, and/or otherwise incorporate anti-biologic material. Examples of anti-biologic materials include: graphene materials (e.g., fullerenes, graphite, graphene oxides, graphite oxides, etc.), two-dimensional materials (e.g., 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂)), hydrogels (e.g., polycationic hydrogels such as chitosan derived hydrogels), polymer brushes (e.g., functionalized polymer brushes, brushes comprising bactericidal polymers, non-fouling polymer brushes, etc.), dendrimers, noble metals (e.g., copper, silver, gold, etc.), alloys (e.g., bronze, brass, copper-nickel-zinc, cupronickel, etc.), nanoparticles (e.g., silver nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, etc.), photocatalytic materials, and/or any suitable anti-biologic materials can be used.

In an illustrative example, a photocatalytic filter can include a substrate (e.g., a fibrous substrate), photocatalytic material disposed on the substrate, support material (e.g., electrically conductive support material such as a metal, conductive polymer, etc.), and/or any suitable materials. The support material is preferably coupled to (e.g., in electrical contact with) the photocatalytic material, but the support material can be decoupled from the photocatalytic material. The photocatalytic material can be nanoparticulate (e.g., nanocrystals, nanoparticles, nanostructrure, as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/831,354 filed 26 Mar. 2020 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL AIR PURIFICATION” incorporated in its entiety by this reference, etc.), mesoparticulate, microparticulate, macroparticulate, film (e.g., thin film), and/or have any morphology. Examples of photocatalytic material include: titanium dioxide (in anatase, rutile, and any other suitable phase), sodium tantalite, doped titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, inorganic carbonaesous materials (e.g., nanocarbon, graphene, carbon nanotubes, etc.), organic materials, and/or any other suitable substance(s) that catalyzes reactions in response to photon illumination. The photocatalytic material is preferably illuminated (e.g., directly illuminated) by the activation mechanism, but can be used without illuminating the photocatalytic material. In variants of this specific example, a photocatalytic filter can be used as a pre-filter, a primary filter, and/or perform any role as a filter for a fluid filtration system.

In an illustrative example, an anti-biologic filter can include a substrate and photocatalytic material (e.g., PECO material, PEC material, PC material, etc.) deposited on the substrate. The photocatalytic material can exhibit anti-biologic function in the absence of illumination and/or with less than a threshold illumination typically expected to induce photocatalytic reactions. However, the photocatalytic material can exhibit anti-biologic function in the presence of illumination, when the illumination exceeds a threshold illumination (e.g., threshold photon flux, threshold intensity, etc.), and/or otherwise exhibit anti-biologic function. When an anti-biologic filter and photocatalytic filter are used in tandem, the filters can use the same or different photocatalytic materials.

In variants including more than one filter, the filters can be arranged in any suitable order. In an illustrative example, a prefilter 210 (e.g., a mechanical filter, an anti-biologic filter, a sorbent filter, photocatalytic filter, etc.) can be arranged upstream (e.g., relative to a fluid flow vector) of a photocatalytic (e.g., PC, PEC, PECO, etc.) filter 220 (example shown in FIG. 7). However, the prefilter can be arranged downstream of the photocatalytic filter, the prefilter can be integrated into the photocatalytic filter, and/or the filters can be arranged in any suitable order.

The filter(s) are preferably arranged within the housing (e.g., retained within the lumen of the housing). The filter(s) are preferably arranged between the inlet and the outlet of the housing, but can be otherwise arranged. The filters are preferably secured to the housing using a filter retention mechanism 230. The filter retention mechanism can be part of (e.g., mounted to, manufactured into, etc.) the housing, part of the filter, distributed between the housing and the filter (e.g., filter can include a first portion that is complimentary to a second portion included in the housing), and/or be arranged in any suitable manner. In examples, the filter retention mechanism can include: adhesives, tracks, slots, groves, location fits, press fits, fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.), trays, compartments, and/or any suitable retention mechanism can be used.

The filter retention mechanism is preferably arranged such that when a filter is installed, the fluid flow path can only pass through the filter (e.g., preventing fluid flow around the filter within the housing). For example, the filter can divide the lumen into a first and second plenum (e.g., an inlet and outlet volume) where, during operation (and/or when the filter is secured), the fluid can pass between the first and second plenum through the filter. However, the filter (and/or filter retention mechanism) can be arranged such that the fluid flow can bypass the filter. In examples, the filter retention mechanism can include gasket(s), sealant(s), o-ring(s), tortuous pathway(s), fittings (e.g., parts machined to fit together within a target specification such as tolerance <0.001″, <0.002″, <0.005″, etc.), and/or can include any suitable components to induce a desired fluid flow pathway. The resultant fluid seal (e.g., defined between the filter retention mechanism and housing, between the filter housing and system housing, etc.) preferably traces a perimeter of the filter or filter retention mechanism, but can additionally or alternatively extend along a face of the filter or be otherwise arranged.

The filter and/or filter retention mechanism are preferably symmetric (e.g., mirror symmetry, rotational symmetry, etc.) about a reference axis (e.g., such as an axis perpendicular to a gravity vector, an axis parallel to a gravity vector, an axis parallel to a face of the filter and/or filter retention mechanism, an axis perpendicular to a face of the filter and/or filter retention mechanism, etc.). This symmetry can enable a filter to be oriented with any suitable filter broad face upstream or downstream of the fluid flow. However, the filter and/or filter retention mechanism can be asymmetric (e.g., to enable installation of the filter within the housing in a single manner) and/or have any suitable symmetry.

The filter retention mechanism optionally includes a locking mechanism 235. The locking mechanism functions to prevent the component from moving during operation and can ensure that the component is properly installed. The locking mechanism can function to prevent fluid flow from passing around the filter, can be used as an interlock (e.g., prevent one or more components from operating when the locking mechanism is disengaged), and/or can be used in any suitable manner. In examples, the locking mechanism can include: interference fit (e.g., friction fit between filter and filter retention mechanism), pressure mechanisms (e.g., one or more springs configured to apply a spring force against the filter such as to compress a gasket, a lobed cam that biases the filter against a housing ledge or gasket, example shown in FIG. 10, etc.), latch-and-tool (e.g., keys, specially designed tools 240, etc. that engage one or more holder such as plungers, dowels, etc. to hold the filter in the filter retention mechanism), adhesive (e.g., cured adhesive such as epoxy), and/or any suitable locking mechanism can be used. In an illustrative example, a cam mechanism can raise (and/or lower) a filter (e.g., with or without raising a filter track) to press against (e.g., compress) a gasket (or filter).

In one variation, the filter retention mechanism is a cam (and follower) mechanism, including a cam mounted to a shaft. The cam mechanism preferably biases a filter (e.g., the filter edges, a filter frame, etc.) toward a gasket or ledge along the housing (e.g., filter cavity), wherein the bias force forms a fluid seal between the filter and housing. The cam mechanisms are preferably arranged below the filter cavity, and bias the filter upward, but can additionally or alternatively be arranged above the filter cavity, and bias the filter downward. The system preferably includes two cam mechanisms (e.g., a left and right mechanism), but can additionally or alternatively include one, three, or any other suitable number of cam mechanisms. The cam mechanisms are preferably arranged with the shaft extending along a depth (e.g., front-to-back) axis of the housing (e.g., parallel the filter insertion axis, parallel a filter insertion broad face), but can be arranged along a lateral axis or along any other suitable axis. The shaft is preferably statically mounted to one or more cams, and rotates the cam along a shaft rotation axis, but the shaft can be otherwise mounted to the cam or rotate the cam. The cam(s) are preferably mounted to the shaft ends, but can additionally or alternatively be evenly or unevenly distributed along the shaft length. The cam lobes can be symmetric, asymmetric, and/or have any suitable symmetry. In variants, the cam lobes can be egg-shaped, oval, spiral (e.g., a single turn of a spiral such that the lobe includes a lip), and/or can have any suitable shape.

In operation, the cam mechanism can be rotated in one direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) to raise (and/or lower) a filter tray to engage the locking mechanism and rotated in the opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise or clockwise) to disengage the locking mechanism. The cam lobes preferably actuate the filter (tray) symmetrically (e.g., maintain the orientation of a side and/or edge of the filter with respect to the gravity vector) but can actuate the filter (tray) asymmetrically. However, additionally or alternatively, the rotation mechanism can be rotated by a predetermined amount (e.g., 45°, 60°, 90°, 180°, 360°, etc.) in any direction (e.g., clockwise and/or counterclockwise) to engage the locking mechanism and can be rotated by a second predetermined amount (e.g., the same and/or different from the first predetermined amount in the same and/or different direction) to disengage the locking mechanism and/or the cam mechanism can be operated in any suitable manner. The cam mechanism can be actuated using a tool (e.g., a key, custom tool, hex key, knob, etc.), be manually actuated, or otherwise actuated.

In an illustrative example of the locking mechanism in use, the locking mechanism can be engaged during the operation of the system. When the locking mechanism is not engaged, an optional interlock (e.g., sensor) can be tripped (disengaged) such that the system cannot operate. The interlock can be located on the filter, on the locking mechanism, on the filter retention mechanism, on the housing, and/or arranged in any suitable manner. In a specific variant of this example, the interlock can include a (displacement) sensor arranged on the housing (e.g., along a lip of the filter cavity). When the filter is installed (e.g., locking mechanism engaged, filter inserted into the housing, etc.), the sensor can be engaged enabling the system to operate (e.g., enabling power to reach the flow control module, the activation mechanism, etc.; transmitting a signal enabling operation of the system; etc.).

The filter(s) can optionally include a filter identifier. The filter identifier can be a unique identifier (e.g., to identify the specific filter such as date of manufacture, location of manufacture, lot number, etc.), a common identifier (e.g., for same type of filter, filter manufactured in specific manner, etc.), and/or any suitable filter identifier can be used. For example, the filter identifier can include an NFC chip, beacon (e.g., Bluetooth beacon), RFID, barcodes, and/or any suitable identifier can be used. In variants, the system can initiate operation in response to filter identifier verification (e.g., by the system, remote management system, etc.), log filter use, and/or otherwise use filter identifier information.

The system can optionally include one or more activation mechanisms 300. The activation mechanisms can function to emit any suitable energy (e.g., light, heat, electricity, etc.) to activate (and/or prime) filter(s) and/or remove (e.g., degrade, destroy, etc.) contaminant(s). The activation mechanisms can be configured to emit energy directionally and/or non-directionally. The activation mechanisms can directly or indirectly activate the filter (and/or layers or materials thereof). Examples of activation mechanisms include: chemical activation mechanisms (e.g., desiccants, catalysts, reducing agents, oxidizing agents, etc.). optical activation mechanisms (e.g., light sources), electrical activation mechanisms, thermal activation mechanisms (e.g., radiative, conductive, convective heat sources; heat sinks; etc.), and/or any suitable activation mechanisms. The activation mechanisms preferably provide at least a threshold amount of energy or a threshold energy density to the filter, but can provide less than a threshold amount of energy or energy density, a predetermined energy or energy density, and/or any suitable amount of energy and/or energy density to the filter(s). The amount of energy provided can be controlled by: a distance between the activation mechanism (or sources thereof) and the filter (e.g., defined by a structural offset between the filter and activation mechanism; automatically adjusted based on filter loading, age, or other parameters, etc.), an operation setting of the activation mechanism (e.g., a power supplied to the activation mechanism, a temperature of the activation mechanism, etc.), and/or otherwise be controlled.

The activation mechanisms can be arranged upstream or downstream of the filter(s) relative to the fluid flow path. However, additionally or alternatively, the activation mechanisms can partially or fully surround the filter, be adjacent to the filter, be integrated into the filter, and/or be arranged at any suitable location. When the activation mechanism is arranged between two (or more filters), the activation mechanism can be equidistant between the filters and/or closer to one or more filters. In an illustrative example as shown in FIG. 140, the activation mechanism can be separated from a photocatalytic filter by a first distance 350 and separated from a prefilter by a second distance 360 where the first distance is less than the second distance. However, the first distance can be equal to or greater than the second distance.

The activation mechanism is preferably arranged perpendicular to the fluid flow direction (e.g., a surface normal to a broad face of the activation mechanism is arranged parallel to the fluid flow direction), but the activation mechanism can be parallel to the fluid flow direction, intersect the fluid flow direction at any suitable angle (e.g., wherein the fluid flows through the activation mechanism), not intersect the fluid flow, and/or the activation mechanism can have any suitable arrangement relative to the fluid flow direction. The activation mechanism is preferably configured to (e.g., defines or includes one or more holes, gaps, leakages, spaces, etc.) enable the fluid flow to pass through (e.g., next to, along, etc.) the activation mechanism. However, additionally or alternatively, the activation mechanism can be sealed (e.g., configured to require the fluid flow path to follow a bypass pathway, release less than a threshold amount of VOCs, etc.), define a flow path therethrough (e.g., through the thickness, through the width, etc.), and/or can be arranged in any suitable manner. The activation mechanism is preferably planar, but can alternatively be curved (e.g., arcuate), cylindrical, and/or have other geometry. The activation mechanism(s) are preferably retained in the housing using activation mechanism retention mechanisms. The activation mechanism retention mechanisms can be the same as and/or different from the filter retention mechanisms. However, the activation mechanism(s) can be retained by the filter retention mechanism, integrated into the housing, and/or arranged in any suitable manner.

The activation mechanism can include one or more sources 310. Each source can be configured to emit the same and/or different energy (e.g., type, wavelength, intensity, etc.). In a specific example, the activation mechanism can include a rectangular grid of sources wherein each source is separate from neighboring sources by a lateral distance (e.g., 0.1 in, 0.5 in, 1 in, 2 in, 5 in, etc.) and a longitudinal distance (e.g., 0.1 in, 0.5 in, 1 inch, 2 inches, 5 inches, etc.; the same or different from the lateral distance). However, the sources can be arranged on a curvilinear grid, radial grid, randomly, and/or have any suitable arrangement. Each source can be a point source, linear source, areal source, and/or have any suitable geometry. All of the sources are preferably constrained to a plane (e.g., a plane normal to a broad face of the filter, a plane normal to the gravity vector, a plane parallel to a suitable broad face of the housing, etc.), but one or more of the sources can be arranged in any orientation in 3D space. All of the sources are preferably arranged on the same side of the activation mechanism. However, one or more sources can be arranged on different sides of the activation mechanism (e.g., be directed in different directions), and/or be arranged in any suitable manner. In an illustrative example as shown in FIG. 15, the sources can be arranged on a first side (e.g., broad face) of the activation mechanism, where the first side is proximal a primary filter (e.g., a photocatalytic filter, a PECO filter, a mechanical filter, a sorptive filter, an anti-biologic filter, etc.). However, the first side can be distal the primary filter, the activation mechanism can include sources on two or more sides, the first side can be proximal a pre-filter, and/or the sources can be arranged on any suitable side of the activation mechanism. In a specific example, the activation mechanism can include a set of light strips 320 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, etc. strips), wherein each light strip includes a set of sources (e.g., 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, etc. sources). The set of light strips are preferably separated from one another by a gap 330 (e.g., to enable fluid to flow through the activation mechanism). The set of light strips are preferably substantially parallel to one another (e.g., non-intersecting, arranged laterally, arranged longitudinally, arranged on a common plane, etc.), but can be arranged at an angle, zigzag, serpentine, intersecting, arranged on different planes (e.g., planes arranged parallel or perpendicular to a gravity vector, planes arranged parallel or perpendicular to a vector parallel to a longitudinal or lateral vector of the housing, etc.), and/or can have any suitable orientation. However, the light stripes can be sources (e.g., linear sources), and/or the activation mechanism can include any suitable structure.

In an illustrative example, when the system includes a photocatalytic filter, the activation mechanism can include one or more light sources. Examples of light sources include: incandescent sources, light emitting diodes, lasers, sunlight, fluorescent lamps, gas discharge lamps, phosphors, nonlinear sources, and/or any suitable light source(s). The light sources are preferably configured to emit light that is absorbed by the photocatalytic filter (e.g., by nanostructures, nanoparticles, etc. of the photocatalytic filter). However, the light source can additionally or alternatively be configured to emit light that is ultraviolet (e.g., any suitable wavelength and/or range thereof between 100-400 nm such as 315-400 nm, 280-315 nm, 100-280 nm, etc.), visible (e.g., any suitable wavelength and/or range thereof between 400-800 nm such as 400-450 nm, 400-500 nm, etc.), infrared (e.g., any suitable wavelength and/or range thereof between 800 nm -1 mm such as 800-1000 nm, 1-2 μm, 2-20 μm, etc.), light that is absorbed by one or more contaminant (e.g., electronic resonance, vibrational resonance, rotational resonance, combinations thereof, etc.), combinations thereof, and/or any suitable light. The light source(s) preferably (e.g., in isolation, in tandem, cooperatively, etc.) illuminate the photocatalytic filter with at least a threshold illumination (e.g., a threshold photon flux, a threshold intensity, a threshold irradiance, etc.), but can illuminate the photocatalytic filter with less than the threshold illumination, a predetermined illumination intensity, and/or with any suitable illumination. The threshold irradiance can be 0.1 W/m², 0.5 W/m², 1 W/m², 5 W/m², 10 W/m², 20 W/m², 25 W/m², 30 W/m², 50 W/m², 100 W/m², 200 W/m², 1000 W/m², less than 0.1 W/m², greater than 1000 W/m², and/or any suitable threshold irradiance. In a variant of this example as shown in FIG. 6, the light source can be arranged above the photocatalytic filter. In this variant, the light source can be arranged to illuminate the photocatalytic filter. In this variant, the light source can be removed from the housing, inverted, and reinstalled in the housing (for example to illuminate a second filter arranged above the light source). In a second variant of this example, when the system includes a prefilter, the light sources can directly illuminate the photocatalytic filter and not directly illuminate (e.g., not illuminate, illuminate through reflections, illuminate via scattering from other surfaces within the system, illuminate with less than a threshold irradiance, etc.) the prefilter. For instance, the light sources can be arranged to face the photocatalytic filter. However, the light source and filter(s) can be arranged in any suitable manner.

Flow control mechanism 400 can function to bring (e.g., impel) fluid into the system (e.g., into the housing) and/or expel fluid out of the system (e.g., out of the housing). The flow control mechanism is preferably mounted in the housing (e.g., proximal the top of the housing, proximal the bottom of the housing, example as shown in FIG. 9, etc.). The flow control mechanism is preferably proximal the outlet, but can be proximal the inlet, distal the outlet, distal the inlet, and/or arranged in any suitable location. The flow control mechanism is preferably arranged downstream (e.g., relative to the fluid flow vector) of the filter(s). Having the flow control mechanism downstream of the filters can function to remove contaminants from the air before the air interacts with the flow control mechanism. However, one of more filters can be downstream of the flow control mechanism. The flow control mechanism can include active flow control mechanisms, passive flow control mechanisms, and/or any other suitable flow control mechanisms. However, any suitable flow control mechanisms can be included.

The active flow control mechanisms 410 preferably function to urge air to flow through the system (e.g., from the inlet to the outlet). Examples of active flow control mechanisms include: impellers, fans, propellers, jets, rotors, reciprocating pumps, centrifugal pumps, and/or any suitable mechanism for urging fluid flow. However, the active flow control mechanism can be supplied by an external system (e.g., an HVAC system), and/or any suitable flow control mechanism can be used.

The passive flow control mechanisms 420 can function to modify characteristics of the fluid flow (e.g., turbulence, speed, path, temperature, pressure, etc.). Examples of passive flow control mechanisms can include: baffles, vents, seals, gaskets, hoses, tubing, chambers (e.g., open spaces within the housing), and/or any suitable structure(s) to modify the fluid flow to a desired fluid flow.

The power supply 500 preferably functions to provide power (e.g., electricity) to other components (e.g., flow control mechanism, activation mechanisms, sensors, etc.). The power supply can be configured to provide alternating current (AC) power and/or direct current (DC) power. The power supply is preferably an integrated unit, but can be distributed (e.g., a separate power supply can supply power to one or more components). The power supply is preferably powered by (e.g., connected to) the mains electrical lines. However, the power supply can additionally or alternatively be solar powered, wind powered, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, and/or powered in any suitable manner. The power supply preferably includes one or more power storage components (e.g., capacitors, batteries, etc.) that can function to provide back-up power (e.g., when the primary source of power is not available).

The power supply is preferably mounted in the housing, but the power supply can be outside the housing (e.g., in a separate housing and/or unit) and/or arranged in any suitable location. The power supply can be mounted proximal the bottom, proximal the top, along one or more sides, arranged within the lumen, and/or mounted at any suitable location within the housing. In some examples, the power supply is arranged proximal the inlet (e.g., so that any VOCs released from the power supply can be filtered by the filter(s)). However, the power supply can be arranged at any suitable location relative to the inlet or housing.

In some embodiments, the power supply can be environmentally isolated from the lumen (and/or the environment within the region where the system is housed) by a power supply housing 510. In these embodiments, environmentally isolating (e.g., fluidly isolating) the power supply can prevent (and/or minimize such as reduce to below a target threshold) the release of VOCs produced during manufacture and/or operation of the power supply (e.g., due to outgassing) from entering the environment (and/or contaminating the filters). In a specific example, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the power supply housing 510 is preferably a metal enclosure, but can additionally or alternatively be made of plastic, ceramic, or made of any other suitable material. The power supply housing preferably forms a fluid-impermeable seal around the power supply, but can form any other suitable seal. The power supply housing can include gaskets, seals, filters, sealants 530, and/or any other suitable mechanism to prevent a release of a threshold amount of VOCs (e.g., a threshold percentage of VOCs produced and/or present in or near the power supply such as 10%, 25%, 33%, 50%, 75%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 99%, 99.9%, 99.99%, 99.998%, 99.999%, 100%, etc.; a threshold mass of VOCs such as 1 ng, 10 ng, 100 ng, 1 μg, 10 μg, 100 μg, 1 mg, 10 mg, 100 mg, 1000 mg, etc.; a threshold volume of VOCs such as 1-100 fL, 1-100 pL, 1-100 nL, 1 μL, etc.; a threshold rate of VOC release such as 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 μg/m²/s, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 g/m²/s, etc.; etc.) out of the power supply housing (e.g., by trapping, reacting with, etc. the VOCs). In a first variant, the power supply housing can fluidly seal the power supply from the housing interior (e.g., the lumen). In a second variant, the power supply housing can fluidly seal the power supply environment from the outside environment. However, the power supply housing can fluidly seal the power supply (and/or its associated environment) from any suitable environment. In these embodiments, the sealed power supply can use the power supply housing as a heatsink (e.g., wherein waste heat is dissipated into the ambient environment), can include a cooling system (e.g., with coolant flowing therethrough), and/or be otherwise cooled. Wire ports defined in the power supply housing are preferably fluidly sealed (e.g., with epoxy, a gasket, sealant, etc.), but can additionally or alternatively remain open.

The power supply is preferably electrically coupled to the components via wires 520, but the power supply can be coupled to one or more components wirelessly (e.g., via induction). In variants, the wires are preferably contained in a wire compartment 525, but can be loose, and/or can be arranged in any suitable manner. The wire compartment (and/or free wires) is preferably arranged along a corner of the housing (e.g., a corner proximal the power supply, proximal an electrical outlet in the housing, extending along a housing height, etc.). However, the wire compartment (and/or wires) can be along a side of the housing and/or arranged in any suitable manner within the housing. The wire compartment preferably includes wire outlets at positions along the housing to supply power to one or more component. In a specific example, wires can extend out from the wire compartment substantially parallel to the activation mechanism to provide couple the activation mechanism to the power supply. In a second specific example, the trays retaining the activation mechanism can include electrical contacts (e.g., powered rails), or include wiring extending therethrough. However, the activation mechanism can be directly (e.g., via wires) and/or indirectly (e.g., wirelessly) connected to the wire compartment and/or power supply. However, the wire compartment can be configured in any suitable manner.

The system can optionally include one or more sensors 600, which function to detect one or more parameters of operation of the system. Sensors can additionally and/or alternatively function to provide feedback (e.g., for an active feedback loop, for a passive feedback loop, etc.) and/or control the operation of one or more system components. Sensors can be mounted at any suitable location within the housing (e.g., proximal the inlet, proximal the outlet, adjacent to one or more filters, adjacent to the power supply, adjacent to the flow control mechanism, etc.). Examples of sensors can include: displacement sensors (e.g., contact type such as switches, buttons, magnetic sensors, etc.; non-contact type such as optical, ultrasound, eddy current, etc.; etc.), fluid flow sensors (e.g., speed, direction, etc.), pressure sensors (e.g., air pressure), humidity sensors, temperature sensors, contaminant sensors (e.g., quantity, identity, etc.), loading sensors (e.g., filter orientation, activation mechanism orientation, locking mechanism engaged state, etc.), time sensors (e.g., filter lifetime, filter use time, system operation time, activation mechanism operation time, etc.), and/or any suitable sensors can be included.

In a specific example of using a sensor for feedback and/or system control, when a sensor detects that the system is open (and/or that a filter is not installed, is installed incorrectly, etc.), power can be shut off to the flow control mechanism, to the activation mechanism, and/or to any suitable component. However, the sensor readings can be used in any suitable manner.

The system can optionally include a user interface 700, which functions to provide information to the user and/or enables the user to input one or more operation settings to the system. Operation settings can include: operation mode (e.g., quiet, high throughput, etc.), noise level, rate of fluid throughput, volume of fluid turnover, flow rate, impeller speed, activation energy (e.g., intensity, wavelength, etc. of the activation mechanism), power draw, contaminants filtered, and/or any suitable settings can be controlled. The user interface is preferably arranged along the front of the housing (e.g., on broad face) on the side of the broad face not in contact with the lumen. However, additionally or alternatively, the user interface can be arranged along the front of the housing on the side of the broad face in contact with the lumen), on any side and/or face of the housing (e.g., in contact with the lumen, not in contact with the lumen), wireless (e.g., an application that runs on a user device, an application that runs on dedicated hardware, etc.), and/or can be arranged in any suitable location. In examples, the user interface can include: a display, a touchscreen, mechanical actuators (e.g., knobs, switches, buttons, etc.), sliders, hands-free (e.g., voice controlled, holographic, gesture based, etc.), and/or any suitable user interface can be used.

The system can optionally include one or more fluid manifolds that function to connect the housing interior to one or more pressure sources (examples shown in FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B, FIG. 13). The pressure source can be a positive pressure source (e.g., higher pressure than the housing interior, system's ambient environment, etc.; pushes fluid into the system), negative pressure source (e.g., lower pressure than the housing interior, system's ambient environment, etc.; draws fluid from the system), the ambient environment, and/or any other suitable pressure source. The fluid manifold can be connected to: the inlet, the outlet, and/or any other suitable portion of the housing or system. When the system includes multiple fluid manifolds, the multiple fluid manifolds can be connected to the same or different pressure source and/or system component.

In a specific example, as shown in FIG. 2, the method 20 of using the system can include: placing (and orienting) the system within a space (and/or room) S100, intaking fluid S200 (e.g., by operating a flow control mechanism), filtering the fluid S300 (e.g., using a mechanical filter to capture particulates; using an anti-biologic filter to remove biological contaminants; using a sorbent filter to sorb contaminants; using a photocatalytic filter, that has been activated by illuminating the filter with light, to react with contaminants; etc.), and expelling the filtered fluid S400. In variants of this example, filtering the fluid can include selecting the filter(s) to use (e.g., selecting the number, type, orientation, etc.), installing the filter(s) (e.g., order, orientation, locking filters, etc.), and/or any suitable steps. Placing the system within the space can include determining where in a space to place the filter. In a specific example as shown in FIG. 3, the position (and/or orientation such as orientation of intaking air, expelling air, etc.) of the system (e.g., within a room with one or more objects) can be determined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the space. However, the position (and/or orientation of the system can be determined empirically, using machine learning, and/or using any suitable method.

4. Illustrative Examples

In an example of the system as shown in FIG. 5 the housing can be substantially a rectangular prism. The inlet of the housing can be arranged on three faces (e.g., a ‘front’ and the two adjacent sides) of the housing, proximal the bottom of the housing. The inlet can include vents. The housing can define a volume inside the inlet (e.g., an ‘inlet volume’ 180) wherein the inlet volume enables the pressure of air drawn into the system to equilibrate and stabilize. In this example, the power supply can be mounted within the inlet volume. The power supply can be along the back of the system (e.g., the side of the housing opposing the front of the housing across the lumen and/or inlet volume). The wiring compartment can be along a corner of the housing proximal the power supply. The wiring compartment can include access ports for coupling components to the power supply (via wires). A prefilter (e.g., a mechanical filter) can be installed above the inlet volume. A PECO filter can be installed above the prefilter. The PECO layer of the PECO filter can be arranged to face upward. However, the PECO filter can be oriented in any suitable manner. The prefilter and PECO filter are preferably rectangular with a substantially equal surface area (e.g., pleated area, apparent area of the respective broad face, etc.), but can alternatively have different surface areas. The prefilter and PECO filter preferably have substantially the same as the area of the bottom (and/or top) of the housing, or be smaller (e.g., 99%, 90%, 80%, etc. of the housing transverse cross section). The prefilter and PECO filter are preferably arranged in parallel (e.g., orthogonal to the flow axis), but can alternatively be arranged at an angle to each other or otherwise arranged. The prefilter and PECO filter are preferably each retained within the housing via tracks wherein the filters fit on the respective tracks. Each of the filters is preferably locked in place by compressing the filters (and/or tracks) against a gasket, wherein the compression can be supplied by one or more springs (e.g., operated by a knob, dial, key, etc.). Each of the filters can be released (e.g., to facilitate filter replacement, filter reorientation, etc.) by releasing the compression. When the filters are compressed against the gasket, the fluid flow is preferably urged through the filter (e.g., rather than around the filter). A light source can be arranged above or below the PECO filter. The light source is preferably configured to illuminate the PECO filter. The light source can generate UV, visible, and/or any suitable radiation. The filters and light source can be accessed by a door of the housing (e.g., a door in the front of the housing). A flow control mechanism can be arranged above the PECO filter. The outlet of the housing can be proximal to the flow control mechanism. The outlet can include vents (and/or other structures) that can be configured and/or adjusted to modify the speed, direction, turbulence, and/or any suitable flow property for the expelled fluid. The housing can define an outlet volume 180′, wherein the outlet volume can enable the filtered air pressure to equilibrate.

However, the system can be arranged in any suitable manner.

It should be noted that where coordinate systems and terminology related to relative orientation(s) are used herein, such terminology shall not be construed as referenced to global coordinates and/or orientations except where appropriate and/or explicit. For example, a system component having a “top” and/or “bottom” shall not be construed as having a particular orientation in relation to a gravity vector except as appropriate and/or explicit. Similarly, “vertical” and/or “horizontal” directions in relation to system components shall not be construed as having a particular orientation in relation to a gravity vector except as appropriate and/or explicit.

Embodiments of the system and/or method can include every combination and permutation of the various system components and the various method processes, wherein one or more instances of the method and/or processes described herein can be performed asynchronously (e.g., sequentially), concurrently (e.g., in parallel), or in any other suitable order by and/or using one or more instances of the systems, elements, and/or entities described herein.

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detailed description and from the figures and claims, modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention defined in the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. An air filtration system comprising: a housing defining: an air purification volume; an inlet comprising a first opening proximal a first end of the housing, wherein the inlet is arranged along a first broad face of the housing; an outlet comprising a second opening proximal a second end of the housing, wherein the outlet is arranged along the first broad face of the housing; and an airflow pathway between the inlet and the outlet, through the air purification volume; a prefilter retained within the air purification volume; a photocatalytic filter within the air purification volume downstream of the prefilter along the airflow pathway, the photocatalytic filter comprising a photocatalytic material; a plurality of light strips within the air purification volume, each light strip comprising an ultraviolet light source configured to directly illuminate the photocatalytic filter during operation, wherein the strips are separated from one another by a gap, wherein the airflow pathway intersects the gap; an impeller module coupled to the housing and configured to urge air along the airflow pathway; and a power supply mounted within the housing, proximal the inlet, wherein the power supply is arranged along a second broad face of the housing opposing the first broad face, wherein the power supply is configured to release less than a threshold concentration of volatile compounds.
 2. An air filtration system comprising: a housing defining an air purification volume; a prefilter within the air purification volume, the prefilter comprising photocatalytic material; a photocatalytic filter within the air purification volume downstream of the prefilter along an airflow pathway, the photocatalytic filter comprising the photocatalytic material; a plurality of light strips arranged within the air purification volume, each light strip comprising a light source arranged on a side of the light strip proximal the photocatalytic filter; and an impeller module coupled to the housing and configured to urge air along the airflow pathway.
 3. The air filtration system of claim 2, wherein an irradiance of optical energy at the prefilter is less than a threshold irradiance.
 4. The air filtration system of Claim 3, wherein the photocatalytic filter is illuminated with at least the threshold irradiance.
 5. The air filtration system of Claim 4, wherein the threshold irradiance is approximately 50 Watts per squared meter.
 6. The air filtration system of claim 1, wherein the light strips are arranged between the prefilter and the photocatalytic filter, wherein the airflow pathway passes between the light strips.
 7. A fluid filtration system comprising: a housing defining: a lumen; an inlet comprising a first opening proximal a first end of the housing; an outlet comprising a second opening proximal a second end of the housing; and a flow pathway between the inlet and the outlet, through the lumen; a photocatalytic filter retained within the lumen of the housing, wherein the flow pathway intersects the photocatalytic filter, the photocatalytic filter comprising a photocatalytic material disposed on a substrate; a plurality of light sources retained within the lumen and configured to illuminate the photocatalytic filter during operation, wherein light sources of the plurality of light sources are separated by a light source gap, wherein the flow pathway passes through the light source gap; and an impeller module coupled to the housing and arranged along the flow pathway upstream of the photocatalytic filter.
 8. The fluid filtration system of claim 7, wherein the photocatalytic filter comprises an electrically conductive support material in electrical contact with the photocatalytic material.
 9. The fluid filtration system of Claim 7, wherein the housing comprises a housing translation system.
 10. The fluid filtration system of Claim 7, wherein the outlet is fluidly connected to a negative pressure source.
 11. fluid filtration system of Claim 7, wherein the photocatalytic filter divides the lumen into an upper plenum and a lower plenum, wherein the photocatalytic filter is secured to the housing by a cam and follower mechanism, wherein when the cam and follower mechanism is engaged, the flow pathway from the lower plenum to the upper plenum must pass through the photocatalytic filter.
 12. The fluid filtration system of Claim 7, further comprising a prefilter retained within the lumen upstream of the photocatalytic filter relative to the flow pathway.
 13. The fluid filtration system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of light sources is arranged between the prefilter and the photocatalytic filter.
 14. The fluid filtration system of claim 12, wherein the prefilter comprises an antibiological coating.
 15. The fluid filtration system of claim 14, wherein the antibiological coating comprises the photocatalytic material.
 16. The fluid filtration system of claim 12, wherein the prefilter comprises a sorbent coating configured to sorb organic compounds.
 17. The fluid filtration system of Claim 7, further comprising a second plurality of light sources arranged to illuminate the photocatalytic filter during operation, wherein the second plurality of light sources are arranged downstream of the photocatalytic filter relative to the flow pathway.
 18. The fluid filtration system of Claim 7, further comprising a power supply configured to provide electrical power to the plurality of light sources and the impeller module, wherein the power supply is configured to release less than a threshold quantity of volatile organic compounds.
 19. The fluid filtration system of Claim 7, wherein the housing defines a rectangular prism, wherein the first end comprises a bottom of the housing, wherein the second end comprises a top of the housing, wherein the first opening is arranged on a first broad face of the housing, wherein the second opening is arranged on the first broad face of the housing.
 20. The fluid filtration system of Claim 7, wherein fluid expelled from the outlet into an environment proximal the housing does not substantially disturb fluid flow in the environment. 